Nkuringo Sector

The Nkuringo sector is one of the best regions located at the Southern end of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Nkuringo is a special gorilla trekking region/area where you can find a family of mountain gorillas.

Nkuringo was officially opened for gorilla trekking in 2004 when the Nkuringo gorilla group completed its habituation cycle in 1996.

Nkuringo is known for its powerful gorilla trekking adventures and is without doubt the best region to experience challenging treks to see the endangered mountain gorillas.

Get a complete guide to explore Nkuringo sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. Nkuringo region is best for Uganda gorilla trekking and other exciting experience;

Guide to explore Nkuringo Sector in Bwindi

• Location: Southern Bwindi
• Gorilla families: 4
• Things to do/why visit Nkuringo: Gorilla Tracking/trekking & more
• When to visit: Peak dry season
• Where to stay: Budget, midrange, & luxury accommodation
• Getting there: By road & Air
• What to pack for Nkuringo sector gorilla trekking
• Gorilla permits

Gorilla families

About 4 habituated gorilla groups are available and open for tracking in the Nkuringo sector of Bwindi National Park. They include Nkuringo, Posho group, Bushaho, and Christmas.

Why visit the Nkuringo sector in Bwindi

The Nkuringo sector features several unique attractions and activities for nature enthusiasts to enjoy. Here are some of the exciting activities to expect to engage in while on Uganda safaris in the Nkuringo region.

Gorilla trekking

Gorilla trekking is the leading primate adventure that awaits you to engage in while in Nkuringo. The sector features several habituated gorilla families including the Nkuringo group, Posho, Christmas, and Bushaho families.

Each of these groups can be visited by a maximum of 8 people and only single gorilla treks can be done per day. The gorilla permits are limited yet the demand is high.

Booking a gorilla permit in advance is essential if you are to engage in a gorilla trek. Every gorilla permit costs USD 800 per person and you can secure a permit through a local tour operator such as Maranatha Tours and Travel (info@adventureugandasafaris.com).

What to pack

List of items to pack for the Nkuringo gorilla tracking/trekking tour; waterproof walking or hiking boots, a daypack, long-sleeved shirts, and first aid kit. The packing list should also encompass a flash-free camera, a rain jacket, an insect repellent, a sweater, energy snacks, and bottled water for drinking.

Birding/bird watching.

Nkuringo sector is one region where you can engage in a bird-watching tour in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. The birds to search for in Bwindi National Park include the African blue flycatchers, white-tailed blue flycatchers, African emerald cuckoo, Kivu ground thrush, short-tailed warblers, yellow-eyed black catchers, black bee-eaters, and others.

Nature or forest walks

A guided nature walk is one way to explore the Nkuringo region. The nature walking excursion involves exploring the trails ushering visitors through the lush jungles of Bwindi National Park. On a guided nature walk, expect to come across many primates including baboons and other monkeys then different bird species.

Cultural experiences

Cultural experiences are a great deal for you to get a close interaction with residents living adjacent to Bwindi National Park. The Batwa and Bakiga communities exist around the Bwindi National Park. Embarking on a cultural tour here is a remarkable opportunity to explore different cultures, norms, and traditions of the Bakiga or Batwa people.

Cultural safaris are conducted with the lead of an experienced guide. Besides exploring the unique traditions and cultures, there is also a chance to be entertained by the locals as they perform different dances and cultural music or tell inspirational stories. 

When to visit the Nkuringo sector for a holiday

The Nkuringo sector or region is accessible by tourists at any time of the year. However, the dry months are the most preferred for gorilla trekking and other adventures in Nkuringo. The dry months often fall around June, July, August, September; December, January, and February.

Where to stay in and around Nkuringo sector

The different accommodation options for overnight stays in and around the Nkuringo sector range from budget to luxury. Top gorilla safari lodges include Nkuringo Gorilla Lodge, Nkuringo Gorilla Camp, Nkuringo Gorilla Campsite, and Hammerkop Bunkhouse.

How to get there

Nkuringo is located in the southern part of Bwindi and is accessible 45 km from the Kabale-Kisoro junction signpost. From Kabale town, you can drive for about 3 hours, and from Kampala/Entebbe, expect to spend about 8-9 hours. Nkuringo can also be reached from Kigali city, which is approximately 4-5 hours’ drive.

Other sectors in Bwindi National Park

Buhoma sector is one of the best gorilla trekking areas in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. This is located on the Northern side of Bwindi, Southwestern Uganda. Buhoma is renowned not only for its exhilarating gorilla adventures but also for its rewarding hiking experiences Read More.

3 Days Bwindi Gorilla Trekking Sector Ruhija ushers you to the eastern side of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to spend quality time with one of the 4 habituated gorilla families in Ruhija sector that include Kyaguliro, Bitukura, Oruzogo and Mukiza. Read More

Rushaga sector is the Southern gorilla trekking sector in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It is where the highest concentrations of habituated Uganda gorilla families exist. Explore Rushaga on 3 days gorilla trekking Rushaga.

The 3 Days Uganda gorilla trekking Nkuringo takes you to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to track the endangered mountain gorillas. This is one of the best short gorilla safari packages and it allows you to explore habituated gorilla families in the Nkuringo sector in the Southern side of Bwindi National Park.